OBSG was founded as a non-profit association in 1977, as the result of the work, effort and dedication of Father Charles de Hemptinne (1933-2017), a Catholic priest. Appointed in 1975 as chaplain of the foreign students in Ghent, Father Charles recognised the need for a place where international students, far away from home, could meet each other and seek out practical and spiritual support.
The OBSG residence, as it is today, began with a house in Ghent in the Kortrijksesteenweg that was bought in 1976. In the following years, with help from family and friends, Father Charles was able to take over other houses in the street and install a real students’ residence that was recognized by the Belgian Services of Cooperation to the Development in 1981. A major innovation for that time was the supply of some accommodation for students with families.
Since OBSG began, Father Charles was able to count upon the support of many collaborators and volunteers, including University professors, social workers, neighbours, friends, and, especially, the members of his own family, who generously helped the evolution of OBSG.
In 1997, a second non-profit association was created - Club Van Eyck – which had the specific aim of promoting cultural encounters and events between residents, other students and the population of Ghent. One year later, the estate of a beloved neighbour, Maria Lingier (known to the students as “Moeke” or “granny”) allowed the construction of the meeting hall “the Academy Van Eyck”. Since then, this hall has allowed students and non-students to organize many activities and events.
The OBSG is sincerely grateful for the financial support and appreciation of the Belgian Ministry of Development Cooperation as well as for the many gifts of donors, who have made it possible to create a warm, welcoming and supportive ‘home-far-away-from home’.
